Rail Guide and Solid Tag Line

ABSTRACT

A rail guiding tool used for aligning rails for railroad construction. The present invention provides railroad constructions workers with a tool that distances themselves from the suspended rails. The railroad construction workers use the present invention to align each rail together by means of a guide plate and an elongated handle. The guide plate is able to engage the head of rails, while the construction worker maneuvers the rail with the handle.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/333,056 filed on May 10, 2010, the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/421,676 filed on Dec. 10, 2010, and the U.S. Provisional Patent application 61/452,002 filed on Mar. 11, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device used by railroad construction workers to guide rails for alignment. It is the objective of the present invention to provide construction and rail workers a tool that allows them to work at a safe distance with complete control.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rails for railroads typically range in weight and size from 115 lbs/3 ft to 141 lbs/3 ft each. The placement of these rails requires the use of heavy machinery for lifting. However, the alignment of the rails to the railway is manually fine tuned by the construction workers' own hands as the heavy machinery lowers the rail onto the railway. This method of alignment can be dangerous, as the machinery is still susceptible to failure. When the heavy machinery fails during a placement of rails, the construction worker aligning the rails are put in imminent danger. The present invention overcomes this problem by providing the construction worker a tool that will create a safer work environment. The invention is a tool that will allow the construction worker to work at a distance while maintaining full control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in which a detailed view is taken and shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a rail guide that is designed to assist railroad workers in moving and positioning rails. Each of the individual rails used for railroads vary in size ranging from 115 lbs per 3 ft to 141 lbs per 3 ft with lengths ranging from 15 ft to 40 ft. Such large rails are handled directly by the hands of the rail workers in the field daily. These rails are normally moved by crane or a machine equipped with a boom. During normal operations, workers will place hands on top of the rails and guide them into place. The function of the present invention is to create a safer work environment for railroad workers by eliminating pinch points. As a result, the chance of potential injury is reduced.

Over many years, many workers have incurred injuries from rails that have fallen on their legs or feet, or by crushing or pinching of their hands. Lifting devices have either broken or come loose from a connection. Tag lines (ropes) are used to prevent rails from spin 4ning out of control. However, a tag line can only pull rails and do not provide full control of the rail's direction. The rail guide allows workers to control the rails movement by either pushing or pulling when rail is being moved. It also allows the worker to position the rail without requiring their hands to come in contact with the rail. Workers can maneuver the rail ends from a distance keeping hands and feet out of harm's way at a distance of 5 feet or more.

Commonly used rails (136 lb) are designed with a head that measures 2 15/16″ wide by 1 15/16″ deep. The most common length is 40 feet. The present method for placement is for workers to place their hands on the top of the rail as it is being moved and guide the rail into place or by using a rope tied to the rail end to help guide the rails in place.

In reference to FIG. 1-2, the present invention comprises a guide plate 1, a handle 2, and a swivel 3. The guide plate 1 is the component of the guide rail that engages to the rail head. The handle 2 is an elongated pole that allows the users to distance themselves from the suspended rail. The swivel 3 provides the present invention with additional maneuverability as it allows the user to handle 2 the rail at different angles. The guide plate 1 comprises an inside plate 11 and an outside plate 12. The handle 2 comprises a grip 21 and a pair of reflector tape 22. The handle 2 is connected to the guide plate 1 by means of the swivel 3.

In reference to FIG. 2, the guide plate 1 is a rectangular plate shaped to conform to the head of a rail. The inside plate 11 is positioned and extends downwardly from a first edge of the guide plate 1. The outside plate 12 is positioned and extends downwardly from the second edge of the guide plate 1. The first edge and the second edge are opposing edges on the guide plate 1. To allow the user to latch the guide plate 1 over the head of a rail, the outer plate extends further from the guide plate 1 than the inside plate 11. The inside plate 11 comprises an inside lip 111 and the outside plate 12 comprise an outside lip 121. The inside lip 111 is positioned on and inwardly angled from the inside plate 11. The outside lip 121, in a similar fashion to the inside lip 111, is positioned on and inwardly angled from the outside plate 12. The inside lip 111 and the outside lip 121 allow the guide plate 1 to latch onto the head of the head of a rail.

In reference to FIG. 2, the swivel 3 is a four way free motion swivel 3 that provides the present invention with additional maneuverability to handle 2 a suspended rail from any direction. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this swivel 3 is a ball bearing type of connection. The swivel 3 further comprises of a rubber bushing 31. The swivel 3 is connected to the handle 2 on the end opposite of the grip 21. Using a ball bearing type of connection, the swivel 3 is connected to the top of the guide rail and connected to a socket positioned on the bottom side of the end of the handle 2 opposite of the grip 21. The rubber bushing 31 is positioned peripherally about the swivel 3 adjacent to the handle 2. The rubber bushing 31 covers the connection of the ball bearing of the swivel 3 and the socket on the handle 2. This rubber bushing 31 protects the present invention from damage when the swivel 3 and handle 2 connections is pivoted to its furthest extent.

In reference to FIG. 1, the handle 2 is elongated and allows the users of the present invention to distance themselves from a suspended rail and away from potential hazard. The grip 21 is a rubber cover that is positioned over an end of the handle 2. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the grip 21 is ergonomically shaped to provide the ease of use. While constructing a railed road, a railroad worker will be utilizing the present invention for a prolonged period of time. With an ergonomic shape with the grip 21, the railroad working performing the alignments of rails will not feel any discomfort from prolonged use. In other embodiments of the present invention, the grip 21 can be a simple rubber cover conforming to the shape of the handle 2. The grip 21 can be made from any rubber material to ensure the user is able to securely hold the handle 2 without slipping. It is important that the material of the grip 21 to provide sufficient friction for gripping to ensure the user has complete control over a suspended rail at all times. On the sides of the handle 2 is positioned the pair of reflector tapes 22. The pair of reflector tapes 22 is positioned laterally on the handle 2 to provide additional visibility of the user when maneuvering a suspended rail.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. A rail guide and solid tag line comprises, a guide plate; a handle; a swivel; the guide plate comprises an inside plate and an outside plate; the handle comprises of a grip and a pair of reflector tape; and the handle being connected to the guide plate by means of the swivel.
 2. The rail guide and solid tag line as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the guide plate being a rectangular plate having a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge and a second edge are opposing edges; the inside plate being downwardly extending from the guide plate on the first edge; and the outside plate being downwardly extending from the guide plate on the second edge.
 3. The rail guide and solid tag line as claimed in claim 2 comprises, the inside plate comprises a inside lip; the outside plate comprises an outside lip; the inside lip being positioned on and inwardly angled from the inside plate; and the outside lip being positioned on and inwardly angled from the outside plate.
 4. The rail guide and solid tag line as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the swivel comprises a rubber bushing; the rubber bushing being peripherally positioned about the swivel adjacent to the handle; and the swivel being connected to the handle opposite of the grip.
 5. The rail guide and solid tag line as claimed in claim 4 comprises, the grip being a rubber cover positioned over an end of the handle; and the pair of reflector tapes being laterally positioned on the handle.
 6. A rail guide and solid tag line comprises, a guide plate; a handle; a swivel; the guide plate comprises an inside plate and an outside plate; the handle comprises of a grip and a pair of reflector tape; the handle being connected to the guide plate by means of the swivel; the inside plate comprises a inside lip; the outside plate comprises an outside lip; the swivel comprises a rubber bushing; and the guide plate being a rectangular plate having a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge and a second edge are opposing edges.
 7. The rail guide and solid tag line as claimed in claim 6 comprises, the inside plate being downwardly extending from the guide plate on the first edge; the outside plate being downwardly extending from the guide plate on the second edge; the inside lip being positioned on and inwardly angled from the inside plate; and the outside lip being positioned on and inwardly angled from the outside plate.
 8. The rail guide and solid tag line as claimed in claim 6 comprises, the rubber bushing being peripherally positioned about the swivel adjacent to the handle; the swivel being connected to the handle opposite of the grip; the grip being a rubber cover positioned over an end of the handle; and the pair of reflector tapes being laterally positioned on the handle.
 9. A rail guide and solid tag line comprises, a guide plate; a handle; a swivel; the guide plate comprises an inside plate and an outside plate; the handle comprises of a grip and a pair of reflector tape; the handle being connected to the guide plate by means of the swivel; the inside plate comprises a inside lip; the outside plate comprises an outside lip; the swivel comprises a rubber bushing; the guide plate being a rectangular plate having a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge and a second edge are opposing edges; the inside plate being downwardly extending from the guide plate on the first edge; the outside plate being downwardly extending from the guide plate on the second edge; the inside lip being positioned on and inwardly angled from the inside plate; and the outside lip being positioned on and inwardly angled from the outside plate.
 10. The rail guide and solid tag line as claimed in claim 9 comprises, the rubber bushing being peripherally positioned about the swivel adjacent to the handle; the swivel being connected to the handle opposite of the grip; the grip being a rubber cover positioned over an end of the handle; and the pair of reflector tapes being laterally positioned on the handle. 